Abstract: Systems and methods for performing x-ray phase-contrast imaging using a conventional x-ray source and detector are provided. An array of x-ray focusing elements it provided and used to focus x-ray onto a pattern of multiple different focal spots. When an object is introduced into the beam path, the focal spots will be displaced based on the x-rays being refracted by the object. A refraction angle map is produced and used to generate a phase contrast image, such as an image that indicates the electron density distribution in the object. Multi-spectral imaging can be achieved by utilizing the chromatic aberration of the array of x-ray focusing elements and sweeping the detector through different focal planes associated with different x-ray energy levels or sweeping the peak voltage of the x-ray source for a fixed object-to-detector distance.

Abstract: A system and method for producing an image of a subject with a tomographic imaging system are provided. A tomographic imaging system is operated to rotate a radiation detector, radiation source, or both through a plurality of angular positions around a subject while acquiring data. As the radiation detector or source is rotated, the radiation detector or source is shifted at each angular position by a different shift value. An image of the subject is reconstructed from the acquired data using a reconstruction technique that incorporates the shifts applied to the detector, source, or both into a system matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a juicer device. In some aspects, the juicer includes a feed housing releasably connected about a rotatable cutter, and an input chute of the feed housing can be offset away from a side of the cutter that rotates upward. In some aspects, the juicer includes a feed housing releasably connectable by a rotation of the feed housing relative to the mount from an aligned position to an installed position so that the feed housing is locked in place in response to the rotating motion. In some aspects, the juicer includes a press chamber in which pulp can be squeezed for juice extraction. The press chamber can include a base and a wall, and a press chamber form can include a continuous piece of material forming at least a portion of the base, at least a portion of the wall, and a transition between the base and the wall.

Abstract: A network traffic monitoring system for redirecting network traffic between a client device and a cloud service includes a monitor proxy server configured as a network intermediary between the client device and a federated identity provider and between the client device and the cloud service. The monitor proxy server is configured to receive a redirect response generated by the federated identity provider upon user authentication. The monitor proxy server is configured to rewrite the redirect web address to the web address of the monitor proxy server. The monitor proxy server is further configured to rewrite a response web address in network communications between the cloud service and the client device to the web address of the monitor proxy server. As a result, network traffic between the cloud service and the client device is routed through the monitor proxy server after user authentication by the federated identity provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture a coherent bundle of scintillating fibers is disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a polymer matrix of a transparent polymer and nanoparticle scintillators is placed on top of a collimated bundle having a plurality of capillaries and pressed in a pressure vessel until the polymer matrix is forced into the capillaries. Pressure is applied via an anvil on top of the polymer matrix. To prevent fracturing of the collimated bundle during pressing, back pressure is supplied to the pressure vessel via a valve, which controls a supply of high pressure gas. Alternatively, the back pressure may also be supplied by a press (and or pressure) and support to the collimated bundle is provided by a high melting point thermoplastic. Heat may be applied to the polymer matrix via the anvil to speed the pressing operation due to the viscosity of the polymer.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding and dispensing streaking applicators for an automated streaking apparatus having a cartridge holder, the cartridge including: a case with a dispensing end, a longitudinal axis and an elongate slot generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the dispensing end including an applicator dispensing position where one applicator can be at least partially accessible from outside the case; and an applicator support member constrained within the case for longitudinal movement therein and being able to carry a stack of applicators; the elongate slot being capable of operatively receiving a biasing member when the cartridge is in the cartridge holder to urge the support member towards the dispensing end and an applicator into the dispensing position.

Abstract: A method of assessing a risk level of an enterprise using cloud-based services from one or more cloud service providers includes assessing provider risk scores associated with the one or more cloud service providers and in view of darknet intelligence data; assessing cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise; and generating a risk score for the enterprise based on the provider risk scores and on the cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise. The risk score is indicative of the risk of the enterprise relating to the use of the cloud-based services from the one or more cloud service providers.

Abstract: Described here is a method for performing phase contrast imaging using an array of independently controllable x-ray sources. The array of x-ray sources can be controlled to produce a distinct spatial pattern of x-ray radiation and thus can be used to encode phase contrast signals without the need for a coded aperture. The lack of coded aperture increases the flexibility of the imaging method. For instance, because a fixed, coded aperture is not required, the angular resolution of the imaging technique can be increased as compared to coded-aperture imaging. Moreover, the lack of a radioopaque coded aperture increases the photon flux that reaches the subject, thereby increasing the attainable signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding and dispensing streaking applicators for an automated streaking apparatus having a cartridge holder, the cartridge including: a case with a dispensing end, a longitudinal axis and an elongate slot generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the dispensing end including an applicator dispensing position where one applicator can be at least partially accessible from outside the case; and an applicator support member constrained within the case for longitudinal movement therein and being able to carry a stack of applicators; the elongate slot being capable of operatively receiving a biasing member when the cartridge is in the cartridge holder to urge the support member towards the dispensing end and an applicator into the dispensing position.

Abstract: An x-ray source for use in Phase Contrast Imaging is disclosed. In particular, the x-ray source includes a cathode array of individually controlled field-emission electron guns. The field emission guns include very small diameter tips capable of producing a narrow beam of electrons. Beams emitted from the cathode array are accelerated through an acceleration cavity and are directed to a transmission type anode, impinging on the anode to create a small spot size, typically less than five micrometers. The individually controllable electron guns can be selectively activated in patterns, which can be advantageously used in Phase Contrast Imaging.

Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating and streaking a solid growth culture medium in a plate, the streaking using a streaking applicator having a line of resiliently and flexibly supported spaced apart contact surfaces, the apparatus including: (a) an inoculating and streaking station including: a plate work position having a notional action line fixed in two dimensions (x,y) in a predetermined position; and a plate rotation device for rotating a positioned plate to cause streaking; (b) a sensor capable of locating the surface of the medium in a positioned plate to thereby determine for that plate, prior to inoculation and streaking of that plate, the third dimension (z) of the action line; (c) an inoculating device capable of dispensing inoculum, along the action line, on the surface of the medium in the positioned plate; and (d) a streaking device capable of moving the streaking applicator such that its line of spaced apart contact surfaces contacts, along the action line, the surface of the medium in the positi

Abstract: An apparatus for orientating a solid growth culture medium plate from an original orientation to a worked orientation, the plate having a lid and a bottom, the apparatus including an orientation mechanism that includes opposed jaws able to receive and hold a plate therebetween in a held position that defines a notional tube above and below the plate, the orientation mechanism being mounted on a jaw support member such that the jaw support member is rotatable such that at least the plate bottom rotates about a generally horizontal axis that intersects the notional tube to orientate at least the plate bottom from the original orientation to the worked orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating and streaking a solid growth culture medium in a plate, the streaking using a streaking applicator having a line of resiliently and flexibly supported spaced apart contact surfaces, the apparatus including: (a) an inoculating and streaking station including: a plate work position having a notional action line fixed in two dimensions (x,y) in a predetermined position; and a plate rotation device for rotating a positioned plate to cause streaking; (b) a sensor capable of locating the surface of the medium in a positioned plate to thereby determine for that plate, prior to inoculation and streaking of that plate, the third dimension (z) of the action line; (c) an inoculating device capable of dispensing inoculum, along the action line, on the surface of the medium in the positioned plate; and (d) a streaking device capable of moving the streaking applicator such that its line of spaced apart contact surfaces contacts, along the action line, the surface of the medium in the positioned

Abstract: A bundle of drawn fibers that have X-ray scintillating unagglommerated nanocrystallite particles in plastic or glass cores of down to 0.1 micron spacing and claddings of X-ray absorbing compounds in the cladding composition. Optional is a cover to the bundle that blocks light from leaving the bundle at the X-ray side while allowing X-rays to pass into the cores. To image the light exiting the fiber bundle at the sub-micron level, light expansion is preferable using either a lens system or a fiber bundle expander.

Abstract: An apparatus for orientating a solid growth culture medium plate from an original orientation to a worked orientation, the plate having a lid and a bottom, the apparatus including an orientation mechanism that includes opposed jaws able to receive and hold a plate therebetween in a held position that defines a notional tube above and below the plate, the orientation mechanism being mounted on a jaw support member such that the jaw support member is rotatable such that at least the plate bottom rotates about a generally horizontal axis that intersects the notional tube to orientate at least the plate bottom from the original orientation to the worked orientation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for managing recruitment interactions provides a recruitment interaction management platform (RIMP) that acquires profile information associated with multiple roles from multiple users and recruitment advisory information from one or more of the users and/or first external sources via a network, for creating one or more candidate profiles for candidates. The RIMP matches the candidate profiles with a recruiting requirement acquired from one or more of the users or second external sources via the network, based on matching criteria to generate a candidate list that matches the recruiting requirement; dynamically assigns a rating to each of the users based on their roles, the profile information, an outcome of a transaction performed between recruiters and the candidates, and predetermined rating criteria associated with the roles; and allocates incentives to each of the users based on the roles, the assigned rating, and predetermined incentive allocation criteria.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enabling a group of people to share the cost of an event, such as a meal, the purchase of a gift, or the rental of a car. Embodiments of the invention provide the tools needed to enable a group to participate in a shared event or activity, where one of the participants pays for the event or activity using their payment device and the other members of the group pay their portion of the cost to the participant who made the payment. Embodiments of the invention provide an ecosystem where a person can pay for an event, goods, or services using a single payment device (such as a credit or debit card) and then settle the amounts owed to them by other members of a group using the tools provided by the invention.

Abstract: Methods, systems and machine readable media are disclosed for performing dynamic information flow tracking. One method includes executing operations of a program with a main thread, and tracking the main thread's execution of the operations of the program with a tracking thread. The method further includes updating, with the tracking thread, a taint value associated with the value of the main thread to reflect whether the value is tainted, and determining, with the tracking thread based upon the taint value, whether use of the value by the main thread violates a specific security policy.

Abstract: A method for look-ahead load pre-fetching that reduces the effects of instruction stalls caused by high latency instructions. Look-ahead load pre-fetching is accomplished by searching an instruction stream for load memory instructions while the instruction stream is stalled waiting for completion of a previous instruction in the instruction stream. A pre-fetch operation is issued for each load memory instruction found. The pre-fetch operations cause data for the corresponding load memory instructions to be copied to a cache, thereby avoiding long latencies in the subsequent execution of the load memory instructions.